Spring



F. B. SPROSS. SPRING WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED JULYI5. 1918.

Patented Dec. 23, 1919.

Quorum FREDERICK B. sraoss, on cHURcHvILLn, new YORK.

SPRING-WHEEL.-

" Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec.-23,' 1919.

Application filed July 15, 1918. Serial No. 245,643.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that L FREDERIGK BJ Srnoss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Churchville, in the county of Monroe and State-0f New Yorkfhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring- Wheels, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved form of spring wheel in which the hub is yieldingly supported within the felly of the wheel.

This and other objects of the invention will be fully illustrated in the drawings, described in the specification and pointed out in the claims at the end thereof.

In the accompanying drawing,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved spring wheel. i

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the wheel, the section being taken on the line 2X2X of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of an auxiliary brace for supporting one of the springs.

In the several figures of the drawing, like reference numerals indicate like parts.

Reference numeral 1 indicates the hub of the wheel, which hub carries the spindle of the vehicle around which it rotates. This hub is surrounded by a sleeve 2. Springs 8, 3 are fastened to the periphery of this sleeve and are suitably spaced apart thereon. The anchor braces 4: connect the ends of the springs 3 to the sleeve 2 but it is understood that any other suitable means for fastening the spring to the hub may be used instead.

As shown in Fig. 2, each of the springs 3 comprises a flat strip, the opposite ends of which are bent forward in the same direction to form loops. The tree ends thereof are provided with triangular flanges 5. These flanges are suitably fastened to the hub of the wheel as are heretofore described. The springs are perforated and fastened together at a central point by a bolt or rivet 6 which passes through the springs and clamps them rigidly to the covering plate 7 A second series of springs 8 are'provided, each of which is formed of a flat strip having its ends bent forward and out and then curved up and back. Each of these sprlngs is also perforated and fastened together at a central point by a bolt or rivet 6 which fastens them to the covering plate 7 and the springs 3, and so that both the springs 3 and 8 are firmly held togetherat a common center, which center is in line with the hub 1 and'at one end thereof. The rivet 6 and plate "Zmay be called a floating hub:

Theouter ends of each of the springs 8 are suitably fastened to the felly of the wheel, and are equally spaced apart thereon intermediate of the springs 3. The springs 8 are thus made to indirectly support the hub 1 from the felly 9 and hold the hub yieldingly in the center thereof.

Each of the spring loops 3 and spring hooks 8 is formed out of flat spring stock, and is fastened to the hub and felly respectively and forms a cushion between the felly and hub. A portion of each of these springs 1s given a quarter turn, for the purpose of making all of the springs also yield to a pressure applied tangentially to the wheel. The hub 1 of the wheel is thus supported from a series of springs which are fastened to the middle portion of another series of springs at a point which is in line with the central axis of the hub. The second series of springs is fastened to the felly 9 and holds the first series of springs and the hub supported thereby centrally of the felly 9.

A tire 10 is attached to the perimeter ofthe felly 9, but this tire need not be very resilient so that a solid rubber tire will serve for the purpose.

Only two sets of each series of springs are shown in the drawing, but it is understood that any number of sets may be used and in each case the number required is governed by the weight of the vehicle which is to be supported thereby.

In Fig. 3 is shown a brace 11 which is rigidly mounted with one end to the hub in any suitable manner. forked end which embraces the spring 8. Then the spring 8 yields, the brace 11 prevents it from bending too far by forming a support therefor.

I claim:

1. A wheel comprising a felly, a series of bow springs diametrically fastened to said felly, a second series of how springs held centrally on said first series of bow springs, a hub supported by said second series of how springs in line with the support of said series of springs on said first series of springs.

2. A wheel comprising a felly, a series of bow springs diametrically fastened to said felly, means for holding said bow This brace has a springs together at their middle and centrally of said felly, a second series of bow springs fastened to the common center of said first series of bow springs, a hub sup ported centrally of said felly by said sec- 0nd series of bow springs.

3. A Wheel comprising a felly, a series of springs fastened diametrically to said felly, a pivot pin for passing through the middle of said springs, a second series of springs supported and fastened to said pivot pin, said second series of springs being bent into a series of radially disposed loops; a hub supported on the ends of said loops of said second series of springs and held in line with said pivot pin and centrally of said felly.

4:. A Wheel comprising a felly, a series of springs fastened diametrically to the inside of said felly, a second series of springs fastened to the middle of the first series of springs, said second series of springs having its ends bent into hook-shaped loops; a hub fastened to the ends of said hookshaped springs to support said hub centrally of said felly.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FREDERICK B. SPROSS. 

